§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the number of round trips per day and the expected load factor on which he based his decision to allow a grant to British European Airways to operate a service to the Scilly Islands with S61 helicopters; if he will compare the expected number of passengers with the present actual numbers travelling to the Scilly Islands; and if he will give the expected annual loss on the helicopter service, assuming that fare levels remain as at present, with the 3s. coach fare for the journey between Penzance Railway Station and St. Just Airport added to the helicopter fare.
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§ Mr. MartenMy right hon. Friend has agreed to make a grant to B.E.A. because he believes that this project will be of great value in developing the commercial use of V.T.O.L. aircraft.
The detailed estimates of the results from the operations are matters for B.E.A. but I have no reason to doubt its conclusion that the loss—after taking into account the revenue it expects to earn from charter and experimental work—should not be very different from the loss which would be incurred if the aging Rapide aircraft were replaced by another fixed-wing type.